For most people these reactions will slowly but surely fade away during the first four to six weeks. If it doesn’t seem to pass – for example because reactions stay the same or even get worse or if one has such strong reactions during the first weeks that functioning in daily life is impossible – it should be taken seriously and professional help needs to be considered, as this might develop into PTS(D)*. PTS(D) stands for Post Traumatic Stress (Disorder). PTS(D) can really be treated in a good way, but it’s important to seek help in time. Examples of possible follow-ups are:
- contact with a general practitioner
- contact with an autonomous mental health organisation
- individual support from a S&R group
But there are also different forms of therapy that focus on PTS(D):
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), works very well for reactions that are the result of an isolated (non-repeated) high stress event
- MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction), an evidence-based program that originally was developed for traumatized war veterans but has been proved effective for many other groups as well
- DBT (Dialectic Behavioral Therapy) or CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), when PTS(D) is combined with other mental health issues
- TRE (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises), a non-linguistic way of processing through trauma and tension with the help of specific exercises that release deep muscular tension patterns.
Finally, the Ecodharma trainings on Sustainable Activism are not focused on PTS(D) but provide numerous tools to build up mental and emotional resilience, in a setting that is particularly supportive to activists. (check out www.ecodharma.com)
*) The ‘D’ stands for ‘Disorder’. But as we consider these reactions not as a (personal) disorder, but as a normal response to an abnormal situation, we do not agree with the ‘D’ that is used in medical terminology.